Saddle-ride type vehicle

ABSTRACT

A saddle-ride type vehicle includes a retainer that is disposed behind a head pipe; an inflator; and an airbag that is housed in the retainer, inflates by gas discharged by the inflator, and is deployed in front of an occupant. The airbag is housed in the retainer and includes a proximal end-side folded portion folded in a roll shape or a bellows shape, an intermediate-side folded portion extending from the proximal end-side folded portion and folded above the proximal end-side folded portion, and a distal end-side folded portion extending from the intermediate-side folded portion and folded in a roll or bellows shape in a cross section in a vehicle side view. The intermediate-side folded portion has a plurality of folding-back points at which folding is made along the distal end-side folded portion in a front-rear direction of the distal end-side folded.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a saddle-ride type vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a saddle-ride type vehicle including an airbag modulehas been known (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). In PatentLiterature 1, the airbag module is supported by a main frame extendingrearward and downward from a head pipe via a stay, and is disposedbehind the head pipe.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: JP 6357677 B2

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In a case where the airbag module is disposed more adjacent to the headpipe and disposed compactly in a front-rear direction, there is apossibility that the airbag module interferes with a handlebar in a casewhere the deployment of the airbag is insufficient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,and an object of the present invention is to provide a saddle-ride typevehicle capable of efficiently deploying an airbag.

Solution to Problem

A saddle-ride type vehicle includes: a retainer (41) that is providedbehind a head pipe (15); an inflator (43); and an airbag (42) that ishoused in the retainer (41), inflates by gas (G) discharged by theinflator (43), and is deployed in front of an occupant, in which theairbag (42) is housed in the retainer (41) in a state of including aproximal end-side folded portion (155) folded in a roll shape or abellows shape, an intermediate-side folded portion (154 and 354)extending from the proximal end-side folded portion (155) and foldedabove the proximal end-side folded portion (155), and a distal end-sidefolded portion (153) extending from the intermediate-side folded portion(154 and 354) and folded in a roll shape or a bellows shape in a crosssection in a vehicle side view, and the intermediate-side folded portion(154 and 354) has a plurality of folding-back points (P1, P2, and P3) atwhich folding is made along the distal end-side folded portion (153) ina front-rear direction of the distal end-side folded portion (153) inthe cross section in the vehicle side view.

In the above configuration, the folding-back points (P1, P2, and P3) maybe provided on a front side and a rear side of the distal end-sidefolded portion (153).

In the above configuration, the retainer (41) may extend along the headpipe (15) and be open upward, and the airbag (42) may have thefolding-back point (P1, P2, and P3) provided adjacent to a side surface(65 and 85) of the retainer (41).

In the above configuration, the airbag (42) may be folded bilaterallysymmetrically with respect to a left-right center line (C1 and C2) ofthe airbag (42) in a cross section in a vehicle top view.

In the above configuration, the bilaterally symmetrically folded airbag(42) has a bellows shape.

In the above configuration, the retainer (41) may include an L-shapedairbag passage (47) from which the airbag (42) is deployed upward from aleft-right direction, and the airbag (42) may be housed in the airbagpassage (47).

Advantageous Effects of Invention

A saddle-ride type vehicle includes: a retainer that is provided behinda head pipe; an inflator; and an airbag that is housed in the retainer,inflates by gas discharged by the inflator, and is deployed in front ofan occupant, in which the airbag is housed in the retainer in a state ofincluding a proximal end-side folded portion folded in a roll shape or abellows shape, an intermediate-side folded portion extending from theproximal end-side folded portion and folded above the proximal end-sidefolded portion, and a distal end-side folded portion extending from theintermediate-side folded portion and folded in a roll shape or a bellowsshape in a cross section in a vehicle side view, and theintermediate-side folded portion has a plurality of folding-back pointsat which folding is made along the distal end-side folded portion in afront-rear direction of the distal end-side folded portion in the crosssection in the vehicle side view. With this configuration, the airbagcan be more efficiently deployed.

In the above configuration, the folding-back points may be provided on afront side and a rear side of the distal end-side folded portion. Withthis configuration, it is possible to adjust a direction in which thedistal end-side folded portion is deployed.

In the above configuration, the retainer may extend along the head pipeand be open upward, and the airbag may have the folding-back pointprovided adjacent to a side surface of the retainer. With thisconfiguration, the airbag can be more efficiently deployed.

In the above configuration, the airbag may be folded bilaterallysymmetrically with respect to a left-right center line of the airbag ina cross section in a vehicle top view. With this configuration, theairbag can be deployed in a well-balanced manner in the left-rightdirection.

In the above configuration, the bilaterally symmetrically folded airbaghas a bellows shape. With this configuration, the airbag can be easilyfolded and housed in the retainer.

In the above configuration, the retainer may include an L-shaped airbagpassage from which the airbag is deployed upward from a left-rightdirection, and the airbag may be housed in the airbag passage. With thisconfiguration, it is possible to efficiently deploy the airbag disposedin the L-shaped airbag passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of a vehicle body frame.

FIG. 3 is a view of a front portion of the motorcycle as viewed fromabove on an occupant side.

FIG. 4 is a view of an airbag unit attached to the vehicle body frame asviewed from a rear side.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the airbag unit attached to the vehiclebody frame.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the airbag unit in a state in which anexterior member is removed.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the airbag unit.

FIG. 8 is a view of a deployed and inflating airbag as viewed from therear side (corresponding to the occupant side).

FIG. 9 is a view of the deployed and inflating airbag as viewed from afront side (a side opposite from an occupant).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of panels forming a circumferentiallength difference.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a loop diffuser.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a folding order of the airbag.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section of the airbagin a vehicle side view corresponding to a cross section taken along lineXIII-XIII in FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section of the airbagin a vehicle top view corresponding to a cross section taken along lineXIV-XIV in FIG. 12 .

FIG. 15 is a left side view of a main part of the motorcycle in a statebefore the airbag is deployed.

FIG. 16 is a continuation of FIG. 15 and is an explanatory viewillustrating a state in which the airbag starts to be deployed.

FIG. 17 is a continuation of FIG. 16 and is an explanatory viewillustrating a state in which a first folded-back portion of the airbagstarts to be deployed.

FIG. 18 is a continuation of FIG. 17 and is an explanatory viewillustrating a state in which a second folded-back portion starts to bedeployed.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view corresponding to a vehicle front upperview of FIG. 15 .

FIG. 20 is a continuation of FIG. 19 and is an explanatory viewcorresponding to a vehicle front upper view of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of a second embodiment and is a viewcorresponding to FIG. 13 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of a third embodiment and is a viewcorresponding to FIG. 14 of the first embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below withreference to the drawings. Note that, in the description, directionssuch as a front-rear direction, a left-right direction, and a verticaldirection are the same as directions with respect to a vehicle bodyunless otherwise specified. In the drawings, Reference Sign FR denotesthe front side of the vehicle body, Reference Sign UP denotes the upperside of the vehicle body, and Reference Sign LH denotes the left side ofthe vehicle body.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle 1 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

The motorcycle 1 is a scooter type saddle-ride type vehicle including avehicle body frame 10, a steering system 11 that steerably supports afront wheel 2, a power unit 12 supported by a rear portion of thevehicle body frame 10, a rear wheel 3, and a seat 13 on which anoccupant sits astride the seat.

Further, the motorcycle 1 includes a vehicle body cover 14 that covers avehicle body such as the vehicle body frame 10.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the vehicle body frame 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vehicle body frame 10 includes a headpipe 15 provided at a front end portion of the vehicle body frame 10, adown frame 16 extending rearward and downward from a rear side of thehead pipe 15, a pair of left and right lower frames 17 extendingrearward from a lower end portion of the down frame 16, and a pair ofleft and right seat frames 18 extending rearward and upward from rearend portions of the lower frames 17.

The head pipe 15 and the down frame 16 are positioned at the center of avehicle width similarly to the front wheel 2.

The power unit 12 is a unit swing engine including an engine as a drivesource of the rear wheel 3 and a swingarm supporting the rear wheel 3 ina swingable manner, the engine and the swingarm being integrated witheach other. The power unit 12 is supported by the vehicle body frame 10in a swingable manner via a link mechanism (not illustrated) provided ata front portion of the power unit 12.

A rear suspension 20 is stretched between a rear portion of the seatframe 18 and a rear end portion of the power unit 12.

A storage box (not illustrated) supported by the seat frame 18 isdisposed below the seat 13. The seat 13 is supported by the seat frame18 via the storage box.

A pair of left and right step floors 21 having a plate shape and onwhich feet of the occupant sat on the seat 13 are placed are provided infront of and below the seat 13, and cover the lower frame 17 from above.

The steering system 11 includes a pair of front forks 11 a disposed onthe left and right sides of the front wheel 2, a bridge member 11 bconnecting upper end portions of the left and right front forks 11 a ina vehicle width direction, a steering shaft 11 c extending upward fromthe center of the bridge member 11 b and rotatably supported by the headpipe 15, a handlebar post 11 d fixed to an upper end portion of thesteering shaft 11 c, and a steering handlebar 11 e fixed to an upper endof the handlebar post 11 d.

An axis 15 a of the head pipe 15 is inclined rearward with respect to avertical direction in a vehicle side view. An axis of rotation of thesteering shaft 11 c coincides with the axis 15 a. The handlebar post 11d obliquely extends rearwards and upwards from the head pipe 15 sidealong the axis 15 a.

The front wheel 2 is supported by an axle 2 a connecting lower endportions of the front forks 11 a in a left-right direction.

A front fender 22 that covers the front wheel 2 from above is fixed tothe front forks 11 a.

FIG. 3 is a view of a front portion of the motorcycle 1 as viewed fromabove on an occupant side.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 , the vehicle body cover 14 includes a frontcover 23 that covers the steering system 11 and the head pipe 15 fromthe front side, an inner cover 24 that covers the steering system 11 andthe head pipe 15 from the rear side, a lower cover 25 that covers thelower frame 17 from the outer side below the step floors 21, and a sidecover 26 that covers the seat frame 18 from the outer side below theseat 13.

In the vehicle side view, a straddling space 27 recessed downward whenviewed from the side of the vehicle is defined between the inner cover24 and a front end portion of the seat 13. When getting on and off themotorcycle 1, the occupant can straddle the motorcycle 1 through thestraddling space 27.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 , the motorcycle 1 includes an airbag device30 that reduces an impact on the occupant.

The airbag device 30 includes an airbag unit 31, an acceleration sensor(not illustrated) that detects an impact on the motorcycle 1, and anairbag control device (not illustrated) that controls the operation ofthe airbag unit 31 based on a detection result of the accelerationsensor.

The airbag unit 31 is disposed on the rear side of the inner cover 24and is positioned in front of the occupant sat on the seat 13. Theairbag unit 31 is provided behind the head pipe 15 and below thehandlebar 11 e, and is positioned at a front side of the straddlingspace 27.

A rear portion of the airbag unit 31 is exposed from a notch portionprovided in a central portion of the inner cover 24 to the straddlingspace 27 positioned on the outside of the vehicle body cover 14.

FIG. 4 is a view of the airbag unit 31 attached to the vehicle bodyframe 10 as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 5 is a right side view ofthe airbag unit 31 attached to the vehicle body frame 10. FIG. 6 is aleft side view of the airbag unit 31 in a state in which an exteriormember 40 is removed.

The airbag unit 31 is disposed behind the head pipe 15 and the handlebarpost 11 d, and is disposed in such a way as to be inclined rearwardalong the rear side of the head pipe 15 in the vehicle side view.

The airbag unit 31 is fixed to a stay 32 (see FIG. 2 ) provided at thefront end portion of the vehicle body frame 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5 , the stay 32 includes a first stay 33provided at an upper portion of the head pipe 15 and a second stay 34provided at an upper portion of the down frame 16.

The first stay 33 is provided above a connecting portion 16 a betweenthe head pipe 15 and an upper end of the down frame 16.

The second stay 34 is disposed below the first stay 33.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the airbag unit 31.

The airbag unit 31 includes a box-shaped retainer 41 provided in frontof the occupant sat on the seat 13 (see FIG. 1 ), an airbag 42 housed inthe retainer 41, an inflator 43 that discharges gas into the airbag 42,a fixing member 44 that fixes the inflator 43 and the airbag 42 to theretainer 41, and the exterior member 40 that covers the retainer 41 fromthe outer side.

The retainer 41 of the present embodiment is formed in a box shape byassembling a plurality of parts. The retainer 41 is configured byassembling an inflator accommodating portion 51 covering the inflator 43from the front side, a retainer front half 52 provided behind the headpipe 15, and a retainer rear half 53 provided on the occupant side andjoining with the retainer front half 52 and the inflator accommodatingportion 51 from the rear side.

The inflator accommodating portion 51 and the retainer front half 52 arecoupled and integrated by welding, for example. The inflatoraccommodating portion 51 and the retainer front half 52 are coupled toform a front case 55 constituting substantially a front half of theretainer 41.

The retainer rear half 53 is a rear case constituting substantially arear half of the retainer 41.

The retainer 41 is formed by coupling the retainer rear half 53 to thefront case 55 from the rear side.

In FIG. 4 , the retainer 41 is a box-shaped member formed in an invertedL shape when viewed from the occupant side (the rear side of thevehicle). Note that, in the following description, an L shape means an Lshape when the retainer 41 is viewed from the front side or the rearside. The retainer 41 has an inverted L shape when viewed from the rearside, but it can be said that the retainer 41 is formed in an L shape.

The retainer 41 is fixed to the front end portion of the vehicle bodyframe 10 via the stay 32 (see FIG. 2 ), and is positioned behind thehead pipe 15 and the down frame 16.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6 , the retainer 41 includes a verticallyextending portion 45 (see FIG. 6 ) extending vertically, and a sideextending portion 46 (see FIG. 6 ) extending outward in the vehiclewidth direction from a lower side of the vertically extending portion45.

The vertically extending portion 45 is a box-shaped portion extending inthe vertical direction along the head pipe 15, and is inclined rearwardin the vehicle side view. The vertically extending portion 45 ispositioned at the center of the vehicle width and overlaps with upperend portions of the handlebar post 11 d, the head pipe 15, and the downframe 16 from the rear side.

The side extending portion 46 is a box-shaped portion extending in thevehicle width direction. The side extending portion 46 passes throughthe outer side of the head pipe 15 from the side portion of thevertically extending portion 45 and extends outward in the vehicle widthdirection and forward.

The retainer 41 is formed in an L shape in which the side extendingportion 46 extends from the vertically extending portion 45. An L-shapedairbag passage 47 (see FIG. 7 ) formed by an internal space of thevertically extending portion 45 and an internal space of the sideextending portion 46 is formed inside the retainer 41.

An opening 48 (see FIGS. 6 and 7 ) for exposing the airbag passage 47upward is formed at an upper portion of the vertically extending portion45. The airbag 42 is deployed upward from the opening 48.

The inflator 43 is disposed in the side extending portion 46 and isdisposed offset outward in the vehicle width direction with respect tothe head pipe 15 positioned at the center of the vehicle width.

Parts of the retainer front half 52 of the retainer 41, the inflatoraccommodating portion 51, and the retainer rear half 53 of the retainer41 will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the retainer front half 52 includes asubstantially rectangular front wall portion 65 that is vertically long.The front wall portion 65 constitutes a front side surface of thevertically extending portion 45. A lower wall portion 68 extendingrearward is formed at a lower edge of the front wall portion 65. A firstside wall 66 extending rearward is formed at an edge of one of the leftand right sides of the front wall portion 65. A second side wall 67extending rearward is formed at an upper portion of an edge of the otherone of the left and right sides of the front wall portion 65.

An extending wall portion 69 extending toward the side extending portion46 and the front side of the vehicle is formed at a lower portion of theedge of the other one of the left and right sides of the front wallportion 65. The extending wall portion 69 is continuous with a lowerportion of the front wall portion 65. An extending portion upper wall 70a extending outward in the vehicle width direction and rearward isformed at an upper edge of the extending wall portion 69. The extendingportion upper wall 70 a is continuous with a lower end of the secondside wall 67. An extending portion lower wall 70 b extending outward inthe vehicle width direction and rearward is formed at a lower edge ofthe extending wall portion 69. The extending portion lower wall 70 b iscontinuous with a side portion of the lower wall portion 68.

A recess 71 formed by denting the retainer front half 52 rearward isformed at a lower end portion of the retainer front half 52. The recess71 is a portion where a lower end portion of the front wall portion 65and a front portion of the lower wall portion 68 are recessed toward theinside of the retainer 41. The recess 71 is provided at a centralportion of the front wall portion 65 in a width direction. A rearportion of an upper end portion of the down frame 16 is positioned inthe recess 71. Therefore, a lower end portion of the retainer 41 can bedisposed close to the down frame 16, and the retainer 41 can be disposedcompactly.

A rib-shaped step portion 72 protruding toward the inside of theretainer 41 is provided on an inner surface of the extending wallportion 69. The step portion 72 is formed to be longer in the left-rightdirection than in the vertical direction and extends in the left-rightdirection in the retainer 41. A plurality of step portions 72 arearranged side by side in the vertical direction. The step portion 72 isformed by pushing out a portion of the extending wall portion 69 fromthe outside to the inside of the retainer 41.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , a fastening portion 73 for fastening theretainer 41 to the stay 32 of the vehicle body frame 10 is provided at afront surface of the front wall portion 65 of the retainer front half52. The fastening portion 73 includes a first fastening member 74fastened to the first stay 33 of the head pipe 15 and a second fasteningmember 75 fastened to the second stay 34 of the down frame 16. The firstfastening member 74 is fastened to the first stay 33 by a fixing tool(not illustrated). The second fastening member 75 is fastened to thesecond stay 34 by a pair of left and right fixing tools 97 (see FIGS. 5and 6 ).

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the inflator accommodating portion 51 isconnected to the retainer front half 52. The inflator accommodatingportion 51 is a box-shaped part whose rear portion is opened rearward.The inflator accommodating portion 51 includes a substantiallyrectangular wall portion 78 covering the inflator 43 from the frontside. An upper wall portion 79 extending rearward is formed at an upperedge of the wall portion 78. A lower wall portion 80 extending rearwardis formed at a lower edge of the wall portion 78. An outer side wallportion 81 extending rearward is formed at an outer side edge of thewall portion 78 in the vehicle width direction. An inner side wallportion 82 extending rearward is formed on an inner side edge of thewall portion 78 in the vehicle width direction.

The upper wall portion 79 overlaps with the extending portion upper wall70 a of the retainer front half 52 from above, the lower wall portion 80overlaps with the extending portion lower wall 70 b of the retainerfront half 52 from below, and the inner side wall portion 82 overlapswith the extending wall portion 69 of the retainer front half 52 fromthe inner side in the vehicle width direction.

The inflator accommodating portion 51 is welded to the retainer fronthalf 52 by a welded fixing portion 51 b (fixing portion) which is aportion where the upper wall portion 79, the lower wall portion 80, andthe inner side wall portion 82 overlap with the retainer front half 52from the outer side.

A main body accommodating portion 78 a (see FIG. 6 ) formed by making acentral portion of the wall portion 78 bulge forward is formed in thewall portion 78 of the inflator accommodating portion 51. A receivingsurface portion 78 b for receiving the inflator 43 is formed around themain body accommodating portion 78 a. A plurality of fixing holeportions (not illustrated) penetrating in the thickness direction areformed in the receiving surface portion 78 b.

A tubular inflator main body 43 a of the inflator 43 that ejects gas isaccommodated in the main body accommodating portion 78 a. In theinflator 43, a flange portion 43 b extending in a radial direction froman outer circumference of a rear portion of the inflator main body 43 aabuts on the receiving surface portion 78 b. The flange portion 43 b issandwiched between the receiving surface portion 78 b and theframe-shaped fixing member 44. The inflator 43 is fastened to an innersurface of the wall portion 78 by a fixing tool 83 (see FIG. 6 )inserted into the fixing hole portions (not illustrated) of the fixingmember 44, the flange portion 43 b, and the receiving surface portion 78b. The wall portion 78 is an inflator support portion that supports theinflator 43.

The inflator 43 is disposed on the inner surface of the wall portion 78in a direction in which an axis 43 c of the tubular inflator main body43 a is directed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle in thevehicle side view. The wall portion 78 to which the flange portion 43 bis fixed is slightly inclined rearward with respect to the verticaldirection in the vehicle side view. Therefore, the axis 43 c extendsrearward and downward in the vehicle side view. Here, the inclination ofthe axis 43 c in the vehicle side view is smaller than 45° with respectto the horizontal. Further, the inflator 43 is disposed in a directionin which the axis 43 c becomes closer to the center of the vehicle widthtoward the rear side of the vehicle in plan view viewed from above.

The inflator 43 ejects gas from a plurality of gas ejection ports 43 d(see FIG. 7 ) provided in the outer circumference of the inflator mainbody 43 a behind the flange portion 43 b. The frame-shaped fixing member44 surrounds the gas ejection ports 43 d. The gas ejected from the gasejection ports 43 d is guided by an inner surface of the fixing member44 to flow rearward.

A wire passage hole 79 a is provided in the lower wall portion 80 of theinflator accommodating portion 51. A wire 49 (see FIG. 6 ) connectingthe inflator 43 to the airbag control device passes through the wirepassage hole 79 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the retainer rear half 53 includes asubstantially rectangular rear wall portion 85 that is a vertically longplate. The rear wall portion 85 constitutes a rear side surface of thevertically extending portion 45. A side rear wall portion 86 extendingoutward in the vehicle width direction is formed at a lower-left portionof the rear wall portion 85. The side rear wall portion 86 constitutes arear side surface of the side extending portion 46. An extending portionside wall 87 extending forward and outward in the vehicle widthdirection is formed at an edge portion of the outer side of the siderear wall portion 86 in the vehicle width direction.

A first side wall 88 extending forward from a side edge of a sideopposite from the side extending portion 46 is formed at a side edge ofone of the left and right sides of the rear wall portion 85. The secondside wall 89 extending forward from a side edge of a side adjacent tothe side extending portion 46 is formed at a side edge of the other oneof the left and right sides of the rear wall portion 85. The second sidewall 89 is formed at an upper portion of the rear wall portion 85.

Furthermore, the retainer rear half 53 includes a lower wall portion 90(see FIG. 6 ) extending forward from a lower edge of the rear wallportion 85, a lower edge of the side rear wall portion 86, and a loweredge of the extending portion side wall 87, and an extending portionupper wall 91 extending forward from an upper edge of the side rear wallportion 86 and an upper edge of the extending portion side wall 87. Theextending portion upper wall 91 is continuous with a lower end of thesecond side wall 89.

The side rear wall portion 86 of the retainer rear half 53 faces a rearsurface 43 e of the inflator main body 43 a. The axis 43 c of theinflator main body 43 a intersects the side rear wall portion 86 of theretainer 41.

A stepped shape 93 protruding toward the inside of the retainer 41 isprovided on an inner surface of the side rear wall portion 86. Thestepped shape 93 is formed in a rib shape longer in the left-rightdirection than in the vertical direction, and extends in the left-rightdirection in the retainer 41.

A plurality of stepped shapes 93 are arranged side by side in thevertical direction. The plurality of stepped shapes 93 arranged side byside in the vertical direction guide a flow of the gas ejected from theinflator 43 in the vehicle width direction.

The stepped shape 93 is formed by pushing out a portion of the side rearwall portion 86 from the outside to the inside of the retainer 41.

Next, fixing portions of the front case 55 and the retainer rear half 53will be described.

The retainer front half 52 of the front case 55 includes the firstfixing piece 56 a and the second fixing piece 57 a extending outward inthe vehicle width direction from the first side wall 66.Correspondingly, the retainer rear half 53 includes the first fixingpiece 56 b and the second fixing piece 57 b extending outward in thevehicle width direction from the first side wall 88. The first fixingpiece 56 a and the first fixing piece 56 b constitute first fixingportions 56 a and 56 b. The first fixing piece 56 a and the first fixingpiece 56 b are fastened to each other by fasteners (not illustrated)inserted into the first fixing portions 56 a and 56 b from the rearside. The second fixing piece 57 a and the second fixing piece 57 bconstitute second fixing portions 57 a and 57 b. The second fixing piece57 a and the second fixing piece 57 b are fastened to each other byfasteners (not illustrated) inserted into the second fixing portions 57a and 57 b from the rear side.

The retainer front half 52 includes a third fixing piece 58 a extendingdownward from the lower wall portion 68. The third fixing piece 58 a isa connecting portion of the second fastening member 75, and is formedintegrally with the second fastening member 75. Corresponding to thethird fixing piece 58 a, the retainer rear half 53 includes a thirdfixing piece 58 b extending downward from a lower portion of the rearwall portion 85 in the lower wall portion 90. The third fixing piece 58a and the third fixing piece 58 b constitute a third fixing portion 58(see FIG. 6 ). The third fixing piece 58 a and the third fixing piece 58b are fastened to each other by a fastener 58 c (see FIG. 6 ) insertedinto the third fixing portion 58 from the rear side.

The retainer front half 52 includes a fourth fixing piece 59 a extendingoutward in the vehicle width direction from the second side wall 67.Correspondingly, the retainer rear half 53 includes a fourth fixingpiece 59 b extending outward in the vehicle width direction from thesecond side wall 89. The fourth fixing piece 59 a and the fourth fixingpiece 59 b constitute a fourth fixing portion 59 (see FIG. 6 ). Thefourth fixing piece 59 a and the fourth fixing piece 59 b are fastenedto each other by a fastener 59 c inserted into the fourth fixing portion59 from the rear side.

The inflator accommodating portion 51 of the front case 55 includes afifth fixing piece 60 a and a sixth fixing piece 61 a extending upwardfrom the upper wall portion 79. Correspondingly, the retainer rear half53 includes a fifth fixing piece 60 b and a sixth fixing piece 61 bextending upward from the extending portion upper wall 91. The fifthfixing piece 60 a and the fifth fixing piece 60 b constitute a fifthfixing portion 60 (see FIG. 6 ). The fifth fixing piece 60 a and thefifth fixing piece 60 b are fastened to each other by a fastener 60 c(see FIG. 6 ) inserted into the fifth fixing portion 60 from the rearside.

The sixth fixing piece 61 a and the sixth fixing piece 61 b constitute asixth fixing portion 61 (see FIG. 6 ). The sixth fixing piece 61 a andthe sixth fixing piece 61 b are fastened to each other by a fastener 61c (see FIG. 6 ) inserted into the sixth fixing portion 61 from the rearside.

The inflator accommodating portion 51 includes a seventh fixing piece 62a and an eighth fixing piece 63 a extending downward from the lower wallportion 80. Correspondingly, the retainer rear half 53 includes aseventh fixing piece 62 b and an eighth fixing piece 63 b extendingdownward from a lower portion of the side rear wall portion 86 in thelower wall portion 90. The seventh fixing piece 62 a and the seventhfixing piece 62 b constitute a seventh fixing portion 62 (see FIG. 6 ).The seventh fixing piece 62 a and the seventh fixing piece 62 b arefastened to each other by a fastener 62 c (see FIG. 6 ) inserted intothe seventh fixing portion 62 from the rear side. The eighth fixingpiece 63 a and the eighth fixing piece 63 b constitute an eighth fixingportion 63 (see FIG. 6 ). The eighth fixing piece 63 a and the eighthfixing piece 63 b are fastened to each other by a fastener 63 c insertedinto the eighth fixing portion 63 from the rear side.

The inflator accommodating portion 51 includes a ninth fixing piece 64 aextending outward in the vehicle width direction from a front surface ofthe wall portion 78. A distal end portion 64 a 1 of the ninth fixingpiece 64 a is bent rearward, and the distal end portion 64 a 1 ispositioned outside the outer side wall portion 81. Corresponding to theninth fixing piece 64 a, the retainer rear half 53 includes a ninthfixing piece 64 b extending forward from the extending portion side wall87. The ninth fixing piece 64 a and the ninth fixing piece 64 bconstitute a ninth fixing portion 64 (see FIG. 6 ). The ninth fixingpiece 64 a and the ninth fixing piece 64 b are fastened to each other bya fastener 64 c (see FIG. 6 ) inserted into the ninth fixing portion 64from the outer side.

The retainer 41 can be separated into the front case 55 and the retainerrear half 53 by fastening and unfastening the fixing portions 56 a to 57b and 53 to 64. This contributes to improvement in assemblability of theairbag device 30.

By fastening the fixing portions 56 a to 57 b and 53 to 64, the frontcase 55 and the retainer rear half 53 are fastened to form the retainer41.

In a state in which the fixing portions 56 a to 57 b and 53 to 64 arefastened, the retainer rear half 53 overlaps with the front case 55 fromthe outer side. That is, in a state where the fixing portions 56 to 64are fastened, the first side wall 88 overlaps with the first side wall66 from the outer side, the second side wall 89 overlaps with the secondside wall 67 from the outer side, the lower wall portion 90 overlapswith the lower wall portion 68, the extending portion lower wall 70 b,and the lower wall portion 80 from the outer side, the extending portionupper wall 91 overlaps with the extending portion upper wall 70 a andthe upper wall portion 79 from the outer side, and the extending portionside wall 87 overlaps with the outer side wall portion 81 from the outerside.

The airbag 42 is housed in the L-shaped airbag passage 47 in theretainer 41 in a folded state, and is provided from the side extendingportion 46 to the vertically extending portion 45.

An upstream end of the airbag 42 in the gas flow is sandwiched betweenthe fixing member 44 and the flange portion 43 b, whereby the airbag 42is connected to the inflator 43.

The exterior member 40 is attached to the retainer 41. The exteriormember 40 is formed in such a way as to cover substantially the entiresurface of the retainer 41 except for a lower surface of the retainer41. The exterior member 40 includes a cover 100 that covers the retainer41, and a lid portion 103 (lid) that covers the opening 48 at the uppersurface of the retainer 41 from above, the cover 100 and the lid portion103 being integrated with each other. The cover 100 is provided on alower side of the lid portion 103. The cover 100 includes a verticallyextending portion cover portion 101 that covers the vertically extendingportion 45 and a side extending portion cover portion 102 that coversthe side extending portion 46, the vertically extending portion coverportion 101 and the side extending portion cover portion 102 beingintegrated with each other. A lower opening portion 104 that opens aspace inside the cover 100 downward is formed in a lower surface of thecover 100. The lower opening portion 104 is provided in the entire lowersurface of the exterior member 40. The exterior member 40 is attached tothe retainer 41 by covering the retainer 41 from above through the loweropening portion 104.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , in a first side surface portion 101 c of anopposite side of the vertically extending portion cover portion 101 fromthe side extending portion 46, a fixing portion housing portion 105formed by making a portion of the first side surface portion 101 c bulgeoutward in the vehicle width direction is provided. The first fixingportions 56 a and 56 b (see FIG. 7 ) and the second fixing portions 57 aand 57 b (see FIG. 7 ) are housed in the fixing portion housing portion105.

A first attachment hole 105 a penetrating through a front surface of thefixing portion housing portion 105 is provided in an upper portion ofthe front surface of the fixing portion housing portion 105. A coverfastener 108 is inserted into the first attachment hole 105 a. The coverfastener 108 is fastened to a first cover fixing hole portion 56 d (seeFIG. 7 ) provided in an upper portion of the first fixing piece 56 b.

A second attachment hole 105 b penetrating through the front surface ofthe fixing portion housing portion 105 is provided in the front surfaceof the fixing portion housing portion 105 below the first attachmenthole 105 a. A cover fastener 109 is inserted into the second attachmenthole 105 b. The cover fastener 109 is fastened to a second cover fixinghole portion 57 d provided in an upper portion of the second fixingpiece 57 b.

On a side upper surface portion 102 c of the side extending portioncover portion 102, a fixing portion housing portion 106 formed by makinga portion of the side upper surface portion 102 c bulge upward isprovided.

The fourth fixing portion 59, the fifth fixing portion 60, and the sixthfixing portion 61 are housed in the fixing portion housing portion 106.A third attachment hole 106 a (see FIG. 7 ) penetrating through a frontsurface of the fixing portion housing portion 106 is provided in thefront surface. A cover fastener 110 is inserted into the thirdattachment hole 106 a. The cover fastener 110 is fastened to a thirdcover fixing hole portion 59 d (see FIG. 6 ) provided in an upperportion of the fourth fixing piece 59 b.

The exterior member 40 is fastened to the retainer 41 by the coverfasteners 108, 109, and 110. The exterior member 40 of the presentembodiment is engaged with a claw portion (not illustrated) provided onthe front surface of the retainer 41, and is attached to the retainer 41in a state where a front portion of the exterior member 40 is preventedfrom coming off upward.

Referring to FIG. 3 , a handlebar holder 11 f that supports thehandlebar 11 e is provided at an upper end portion of the handlebar post11 d. The handlebar holder 11 f has a disk shape in plan view viewedfrom above, and the handlebar 11 e is fixed to an upper surface of thehandlebar holder 11 f.

The airbag unit 31 is disposed in such a way that the lid portion 103 ofthe exterior member 40 is arranged behind the handlebar holder 11 f.

The lid portion 103 of the exterior member 40, a rear surface portion101 a, a side rear surface portion 102 a, the fixing portion housingportion 105, and the fixing portion housing portion 106 are exposed tothe straddling space 27.

A lid recessed portion 103 a recessed downward is provided at a frontportion of the lid portion 103 to avoid a rear portion of the handlebarholder 11 f. A front edge of the lid recessed portion 103 a is formed inan arc shape in accordance with the shape of the rear portion of thehandlebar holder 11 f.

The rear portion of the handlebar holder 11 f is disposed in the lidrecessed portion 103 a. Therefore, the lid portion 103 can be disposedclose to the handlebar holder 11 f in the front-rear direction of thevehicle.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the exterior member 40 includes a tear line115 as a cleavage portion broken by the deployed airbag 42.

The tear line 115 is a groove-shaped fragile portion formed to have aplate thickness smaller than a plate thickness of a portion of theexterior member 40 around the tear line 115.

The tear line 115 is formed to have a small plate thickness andpreferentially cleaves.

The tear line 115 includes a rear edge 103 b of the lid portion 103,left and right side edges 103 c of the lid portion 103, and a lid-sidetear line 115 a provided in a portion excluding a portion of the lidrecessed portion 103 a in a front edge 103 d of the lid portion 103. Thetear line 115 includes a pair of left and right rear tear lines 115 bextending downward along the left and right side edges of the rearsurface portion 101 a from portions of the left and right end portionsof the rear edge 103 b in the lid-side tear line 115 a. Furthermore, thetear line 115 includes a pair of left and right front tear lines (notillustrated) extending downward along the left and right side edges of afront surface portion 101 b from the left and right end portions of thefront edge 103 d in the lid-side tear line 115 a.

The exterior member 40 covers a range from the upper end portion to thelower end portion of the retainer 41, and covers substantially theentire retainer 41 except for the lower surface and a lower-left portionof the front surface of the retainer 41 from the outer side. Here, theupper end portion of the retainer 41 is the opening 48, and the lowerend portion of the retainer 41 is lower edges of the rear wall portion85 and the side rear wall portion 86.

Therefore, the retainer 41 can be entirely covered from above andsurrounded by the exterior member 40, and the waterproofness of theretainer 41 can be improved.

In the airbag device 30 of the present embodiment, the inflator 43ejects gas into the airbag 42 toward the rear side of the vehicle alongthe axis 43 c under the control of the airbag control device.

The gas discharged from the inflator 43 into the airbag 42 is guided bythe side extending portion 46 and the vertically extending portion 45,and flows in an L shape in the airbag passage 47.

At this time, a part of the gas ejected from the inflator 43 hits thestepped shape 93 of the side extending portion 46 via the airbag 42 andflows inward in the vehicle width direction along the stepped shape 93.

When the gas flows from the side extending portion 46 to the verticallyextending portion 45, the flow in the left-right direction is changed tothe flow in the upward direction, and the gas flows upward in thevertically extending portion 45.

When the airbag 42 inflates upward by the gas flowing upward in thevertically extending portion 45, the tear line 115 of the exteriormember 40 cleaves, the lid portion 103 is opened, and the opening 48 isexposed. Then, the airbag 42 is deployed upward from the opening 48 asillustrated in FIG. 1 by the gas flowing upward.

The retainer 41 is fastened to the down frame 16 at a lower sideposition of the retainer 41 via the second fastening member 75. As aresult, the support rigidity of a lower portion of the retainer 41 withrespect to the vehicle body frame 10 side is increased, and when theairbag 42 inflates by the gas, a portion of an upper portion of theretainer 41 on the opening 48 side slightly moves toward the occupantside with a portion of the second fastening member 75 as a fulcrum dueto the inflation of the airbag 42, and is deformed to widen the opening48. Therefore, the airbag 42 can be satisfactorily deployed upward.

FIG. 8 is a view of the deployed and inflating airbag 42 as viewed fromthe rear side (corresponding to the occupant side). FIG. 9 is a view ofthe deployed and inflating airbag 42 as viewed from the front side (aside opposite from the occupant).

The airbag 42 is a bag including a proximal end portion 121 positionedin the airbag passage 47 (see FIG. 7 ) of the retainer 41 in a deployedstate and an outward deployment portion 122 positioned outside theairbag passage 47 in a deployed state, the proximal end portion 121 andthe outward deployment portion 122 being integrated with each other.

The outward deployment portion 122 is formed bilaterally symmetricallywith respect to a center line (left-right center line) C1 of the outwarddeployment portion 122 in the width direction (left-right direction).The airbag 42 is disposed in such a way that the center line C1 ispositioned on the left side of the center of the vehicle width. Theairbag 42 is disposed in such a way that the center line C1 is at thesame position as a center line 47C (see FIGS. 4 to 6 ) of the verticallyextending portion 45 of the retainer 41 in the vehicle width direction.

The outward deployment portion 122 includes a neck portion 122Aextending upward from an upper end of the proximal end portion 121, adeployment portion main body 122B extending upward from an upper end ofthe neck portion 122A, and a bulging portion 122C bulging upward fromthe center of the upper portion of the deployment portion main body 122Bin the width direction.

The neck portion 122A is a cylindrical portion extending in the verticaldirection from the opening 48 of the retainer 41 in a state where theairbag 42 is operated and deployed.

The deployment portion main body 122B is formed in a fan shape extendingupward and having a width in the left-right direction increasing from alower end which is a connecting portion with the neck portion 122A. Thedeployment portion main body 122B includes a head facing portion 122Dhaving the maximum width in the left-right direction at an upper endportion thereof. The head facing portion 122D is a portion assumed toreceive the head of the occupant in a state where the airbag 42 isoperated and deployed.

The neck portion 122A, the deployment portion main body 122B, and thebulging portion 122C are provided bilaterally symmetrically with respectto the center line C1.

The airbag 42 of the present embodiment is formed in a bag shape by ajoining structure of a front base fabric (front surface) 123 (see FIG. 9) and a rear base fabric (rear surface) 124 (see FIG. 8 ). A sewnportion (coupling portion) 131 for forming the joining structure inwhich the front base fabric 123 and the rear base fabric 124 are sewntogether is formed at peripheral edge portions of the front base fabric123 and the rear base fabric 124.

The deployment portion main body 122B includes a pair of middle sewnportions 133 and 133 at positions between the neck portion 122A and thehead facing portion 122D. The middle sewn portions 133 and 133 areprovided bilaterally symmetrically with respect to the center line C1.

The middle sewn portions 133 and 133 are portions where the front basefabric 123 and the rear base fabric 124 of the outward deploymentportion 122 are sewn and connected along peripheral edge portions of themiddle sewn portions 133 and 133, and the gas G does not pass throughthe middle sewn portions 133 and 133.

A throttle portion 135 in which the passage of the gas G becomesnarrower than that on the upstream side is formed between the left andright middle sewn portions 133 and 133. In addition, throttle portions136 and 136 in which the passage of the gas G becomes narrower than thaton the upstream side are formed between left and right side portions ofthe outward deployment portion 122 and the middle sewn portions 133 and133.

Since the passage of the gas G on the upstream side of the head facingportion 122D become narrower by the throttle portion 135, 136, and 136,the gas G is quickly supplied to the head facing portion 122D.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of panels 125 and 125 forming acircumferential length difference.

In the airbag 42 of the present embodiment, the panels 125 and 125forming a circumferential length difference between the front basefabric 123 and the rear base fabric 124 when viewed from the side aresewn to the sewn portion 131 of the front base fabric 123 and the rearbase fabric 124. The panels 125 and 125 are formed of fabric similarlyto the front base fabric 123 and the rear base fabric 124. A pair ofpanels 125 and 125 are provided on the left and right sides of the neckportion 122A. In FIG. 10 , the left panel 125 is illustrated in a leftside view, and the right panel 125 is illustrated in a right side view.The panels 125 and 125 are configured to be bilaterally symmetrical. Thepanels 125 and 125 are substantially D-shaped in a side view. Each ofthe panels 125 and 125 includes a front edge portion 126 and a rear edgeportion 127 facing the front edge portion 126. In a side view, the frontedge portion 126 and the rear edge portion 127 are formed in an arcshape recessed rearward, and the front edge portion 126 has a shortercircumferential length than the rear edge portion 127.

The peripheral edge portion of the front base fabric 123 and the frontedge portion 126 of the panel 125 are sewn while facing each other. Thecircumferential length of the peripheral edge portion of the front basefabric 123 corresponds to the circumferential length of the front edgeportion 126 of the panel 125 in a side view at a portion sewn to thepanel 125.

A peripheral edge portion of the rear base fabric 124 and the rear edgeportion 127 of the panel 125 are sewn while facing each other. Thecircumferential length of the peripheral edge portion of the rear basefabric 124 corresponds to the circumferential length of the rear edgeportion 127 of the panel 125 in a side view at a portion sewn to thepanel 125.

In the neck portion 122A of the outer deployment portion 122, the frontbase fabric 123 is shorter, and the rear base fabric 124 is longer.Since there is a circumferential length difference between the frontbase fabric 123 and the rear base fabric 124 in a direction along thecenter line C1, the airbag 42 is easily deployed in a state of beingbent toward a certain front side of the front base fabric 123 in thedirection along the center line C1 at the time of deployment.

The neck portion 122A is a cylindrical portion extending in the verticaldirection from the opening 48 of the retainer 41, and is positionedbelow the handlebar 11 e in the vehicle side view in a deployed state.Therefore, the airbag 42 is deployed in a state in which the panels 125formed at the neck portion 122A are positioned below the handlebar 11 ein the vehicle side view. As a result, the airbag 42 can be deployedwhile suppressing interference with the handlebar 11 e.

In particular, the panel 125 in the present embodiment is disposedupstream of the deployment portion main body 122B including the headfacing portion 122D and greatly expanding in the left-right direction,in a flow direction of the gas G. Therefore, it is possible to deploythe airbag 42 while suppressing the deployment portion main body 122Bfrom interfering with portions of the handlebar 11 e positioned on theleft and right sides of the handlebar post 11 d.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 , in the airbag 42, the proximal endportion 121 connected to the inflator 43 includes a bag left-rightextending portion 121A extending in the left-right direction in the sideextending portion 46 of the retainer 41 and a bag upward extendingportion 121B extending upward from the bag left-right extending portion121A.

The bag left-right extending portion 121A extends in the left-rightdirection from the inflator 43 of the retainer 41 toward the center lineC1.

The bag upward extending portion 121B extends upward while beingslightly inclined with respect to the center line C1 in the verticallyextending portion 45. The outward deployment portion 122 extendingupward is continuous with an upper end of the bag upward extendingportion 121B.

In the proximal end portion 121, the bag left-right extending portion121A extends toward one side in the vehicle width direction with respectto the center line C1, and is formed to be bilaterally asymmetrical withrespect to the center line C1.

That is, in the airbag 42, the outward deployment portion 122 isbilaterally symmetrical with respect to the center line C1, but theproximal end portion 121 is provided bilaterally asymmetrically withrespect to the center line C1 along the L-shaped airbag passage 47.

An angle at which an extending direction X1 of the bag left-rightextending portion 121A and an extending direction Y1 of the bag upwardextending portion 121B intersect is larger than a right angle. Theproximal end portion 121 is formed in an L shape along the airbagpassage 47 of the retainer 41.

When housed in the retainer 41, the proximal end portion 121 has a shapecurved at a substantially right angle along the airbag passage 47.

In the peripheral edge portion of the proximal end portion 121, curvedportions 121C and 121D are formed at a connecting portion between thebag left-right extending portion 121A and the bag upward extendingportion 121B. The gas G smoothly flows along the curved portions 121Cand 121D.

A connecting port 121E (see FIG. 9 ) connected to the inflator 43 isprovided at a position offset from the center line C1 of the bagleft-right extending portion 121A in the vehicle width direction in thefront base fabric 123 of the proximal end portion 121.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a loop diffuser 141.

The airbag 42 includes the loop diffuser 141 that guides the gas G. Theloop diffuser 141 is formed in an L-shaped bag shape including anopening 141A at one end thereof. A peripheral edge portion of the loopdiffuser 141 is closed except for the opening 141A.

The loop diffuser 141 is disposed in the gas flow path of the proximalend portion 121 and extends from the inflator 43 to a lower end portionof the outward deployment portion 122. The loop diffuser 141 is coupledto the airbag 42 by being sewn to an inner surface of the proximal endportion 121.

The loop diffuser 141 includes a connecting portion 141B connected tothe inflator 43. The connecting portion 141B is connected to theinflator 43 in such a way as to overlap with the connecting port 121E ofthe bag left-right extending portion 121A from the inner side. The gas Gdischarged from the inflator 43 directly flows into the bag of the loopdiffuser 141 from the connecting portion 141B. The gas G flowing intothe loop diffuser 141 flows along the loop diffuser 141 and flows intothe outward deployment portion 122 from the opening 141A.

The opening 141A is disposed in such a way that the gas G dischargedfrom the opening 141A flows upward.

Since the flow direction of the gas G from the inflator 43 can becontrolled by the loop diffuser 141, a filling procedure for filling theairbag 42 with the gas G can be controlled, and the airbag 42 can beefficiently deployed upward.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 , a right pipe portion 137 is formed ata lower portion of an inner peripheral side of the right middle sewnportion 133. A left pipe portion 138 is formed at a lower portion of aninner peripheral side of the left middle sewn portion 133. The pipeportions 137 and 138 sew the front base fabric 123 and the rear basefabric 124 in a circular shape.

A right side tab 139 and a left side tab 140 are provided on theproximal end portion 121. The side tabs 139 and 140 are fabrics separatefrom the front base fabric 123 and the rear base fabric 124. The sidetabs 139 and 140 are disposed between the front base fabric 123 and therear base fabric 124 and are sewn to the sewn portion 131.

The right side tab 139 is sewn in a state of extending toward one sidein the left-right direction from the right curved portion 121D of theproximal end portion 121. The right side tab 139 overlaps with a line L2passing through the center of the inflator 43 and extending along thelongitudinal direction X1 of the bag left-right extending portion 121Ain a vehicle front view.

The left side tab 140 is sewn in a state of extending toward the otherside in the left-right direction from the left curved portion 121C ofthe proximal end portion 121. The left side tab 140 is disposed abovethe right side tab 139 in the vehicle front view.

Anchoring bodies 171 and 172 are disposed between the pipe portions 137and 138 and the side tabs 139 and 140. The anchoring bodies 171 and 172are formed of a belt-shaped fabric extending in the vertical direction.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a folding order of the airbag 42. FIG.13 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section of the airbag 42 ina vehicle side view corresponding to a cross section taken along lineXIII-XIII in FIG. 12 . FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating a crosssection of the airbag 42 in a vehicle top view corresponding to a crosssection taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12 . In FIG. 13 , a center lineC2 is a center line extending in the front-rear direction orthogonal tothe center line C1. That is, the center line C1 corresponds to thecenter line in the vehicle front view, and the center line C2corresponds to the center line in the left-right direction in thevehicle top view. In FIGS. 13 and 14 , the airbag 42 is schematicallyillustrated as a single layer structure for convenience of explanation.

The airbag 42 is housed in the retainer 41 in a folded state.

How the airbag 42 is folded will be described with reference to FIGS. 12to 14 .

First, the outward deployment portion 122 is folded in a directionorthogonal to the center line C1 in the vehicle front view. It may beconsidered that the outward deployment portion 122 is folded in adirection orthogonal to the center line C2 in the vehicle top view. Inthe present embodiment, the outward deployment portion 122 is folded ina bellows shape bilaterally symmetrically with respect to the centerline C1 (C2).

Specifically, a portion of the outward deployment portion 122 that ispositioned on a left end 42B side of the center line C1 (C2) is foldedforward with a position corresponding to a predetermined length W1 onthe left side of the center line C1 (C2) as a folding-back point(folding-back position). Next, the portion of the outward deploymentportion 122 that is positioned on the left end 42B side is foldedforward with a position corresponding to the center line C1 (C2) as afolding-back point. Then, the portion of the outward deployment portion122 that is positioned on the left end 42B side is folded forward withthe position corresponding to the predetermined length W1 on the leftside of the center line C1 (C2) as a folding-back point. In this manner,the portion of the outward deployment portion 122 that is positioned onthe left end 42B side is folded forward a plurality of times and foldedin a bellows shape with the position corresponding to the predeterminedlength W1 on the left side of the center line C1 (C2) and the positioncorresponding to the center line C1 (C2) as the folding-back points.

A portion of the outward deployment portion 122 that is positioned onthe right end 42C side is folded in the same manner as the portion ofthe outward deployment portion 122 that is positioned on the left end42B side except that the portion of the outward deployment portion 122that is positioned on the right end 42C side is laterally reversed. Thatis, the portion of the outward deployment portion 122 that is positionedon the right end 42C side is folded forward a plurality of times andfolded in a bellows shape with a position corresponding to thepredetermined length W1 on the right side of the center line C1 (C2) andthe position corresponding to the center line C1 (C2) as folding-backpoints.

As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 13 , a pair of left and rightbellows-shaped portions 151 and 152 are formed in the airbag 42. The sumof the width (length) W1 of the bellows-shaped portion 151 in theleft-right direction and the width W1 of the bellows-shaped portion 152in the left-right direction is a width at which the airbag 42 can beaccommodated in the vertically extending portion 45 of the retainer 41.

In the present specification, folding the outward deployment portion 122in a bellows shape refers to folding performed in such a way as tooverlapping linearly extending portions while switching a folding-backdirection.

Next, the outward deployment portion 122 is folded in a direction alongthe center line C1. That is, the bellows-shaped portions 151 and 152 arefolded in a direction along the center line C1 of the airbag 42. In thepresent embodiment, an upper end 42A is bent forward and formed in aroll shape by a preset number of turns (a preset number of times). Inthe present specification, folding the outward deployment portion 122 ina roll shape refers to folding performed in such a way as to fold backan end portion of the outward deployment portion 122 or the folding-backpoint of the outward deployment portion 122 as an end portion, and rollthe folded-back portion in a certain direction in such a way as to wrapthe folded-back portion. As a result, a distal end-side folded portion153 folded in a roll shape is formed in the airbag 42. A virtual line L1in the longitudinal direction is formed along a folded portion includingthe upper end 42A in a cross section in the vehicle side view on thedistal end-side folded portion 153. In the present embodiment, thevirtual line L1 extends in the vertical direction.

After the distal end-side folded portion 153 is formed, the distalend-side folded portion 153 is folded back in the opposite direction(downward) on the front side. As a result, a second folding-back pointP2 is formed on the front side of the distal end-side folded portion153, and a second folded-back portion 154B is formed. The secondfolded-back portion 154B includes a portion extending downward from thesecond folding-back point P2 along the virtual line L1.

After the second folding-back point P2 is formed, the outward deploymentportion 122 is folded in such a way as to wrap the distal end-sidefolded portion 153, whereby the panel 125 is moved to the rear side ofthe distal end-side folded portion 153, and folded back in the oppositedirection (downward) at the position of the panel 125. As a result, afirst folding-back point P1 is formed on the rear side of the distalend-side folded portion 153, and a first folded-back portion 154A isformed. The first folded-back portion 154A includes a portion of theoutward deployment portion 122 that extends from the first folding-backpoint P1 along the virtual line L1.

A portion closer to the proximal end portion 121 than to the firstfolded-back portion 154A is folded back a plurality of times in thefront-rear direction and folded in a bellows shape. As a result, aproximal end-side folded portion 155 is formed below the firstfolded-back portion 154A.

An intermediate-side folded portion 154 is formed between the proximalend-side folded portion 155 and the distal end-side folded portion 153.The intermediate-side folded portion 154 of the first embodimentincludes the first folded-back portion 154A and the second folded-backportion 154B.

The airbag 42 is housed in the vertically extending portion 45 of theretainer 41 in a state of including the proximal end-side folded portion155, the intermediate-side folded portion 154, and the distal end-sidefolded portion 153.

At this time, the virtual line L1 in the longitudinal direction of thedistal end-side folded portion 153 is disposed along the center line 47Cof the vertically extending portion 45. The first folding-back point P1is disposed adjacent to the rear wall portion (side surface) 85 of theretainer 41, and the first folded-back portion 154A is sandwichedbetween the distal end-side folded portion 153 and the rear wall portion85. Further, the second folding-back point P2 is disposed adjacent tothe front wall portion (side surface) 65 of the retainer 41, and thesecond folded-back portion 154B is sandwiched between the distalend-side folded portion 153 and the front wall portion 65.

A connecting portion P0 where the distal end-side folded portion 153 andthe intermediate-side folded portion 154 are connected is set to aposition where the virtual line L1 of the distal end-side folded portion153 and the outermost periphery portion of the outward deploymentportion 122 of the distal end-side folded portion 153 intersect eachother. In this case, a height H1 of the first folding-back point P1 isset to a length from the connecting portion P0 to the first folding-backpoint P1 along the virtual line L1. A height H2 of the secondfolding-back point P2 is set to a length from the connecting portion P0to the second folding-back point P2 along the virtual line L1.

Here, it has been confirmed by experiments that the higher the height H1of the first folding-back point P1, the more likely the distal end-sidefolded portion 153 is deployed toward the front of the vehicle when theairbag 42 is deployed. In addition, it has been confirmed by experimentsthat, the higher the height H2 of the second folding-back point P2, themore likely the distal end-side folded portion 153 is deployed towardthe occupant side when the airbag 42 is deployed.

In the present embodiment, the height H1 of the first folding-back pointP1 is higher than the height H2 of the second folding-back point P2.

FIG. 15 is a left side view of a main part of the motorcycle 1 in astate before the airbag 42 is deployed. FIG. 16 is a continuation ofFIG. 15 and is an explanatory view illustrating a state in which theairbag 42 starts to be deployed. FIG. 17 is a continuation of FIG. 16and is an explanatory view illustrating a state in which the firstfolded-back portion 154A of the airbag 42 starts to be deployed. FIG. 18is a continuation of FIG. 17 and is an explanatory view illustrating astate in which the second folded-back portion 154B starts to bedeployed.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view corresponding to a vehicle front upperview of FIG. 15 . FIG. 20 is a continuation of FIG. 19 and is anexplanatory view corresponding to a vehicle front upper view of FIG. 18.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

Once the inflator 43 of the airbag device 30 operates, the gas G isinjected into the airbag 42. The airbag 42 inflates by a pressure of thegas G and deployed upward.

That is, when the inflator 43 operates, the gas G is injected to theloop diffuser 141. The gas G is guided by the loop diffuser 141 to movethrough the L-shaped proximal end portion 121. The gas G having passedthrough the proximal end portion 121 enters the outward deploymentportion 122 to deploy the outward deployment portion 122. The outwarddeployment portion 122 supported by the proximal end portion 121 iseasily deployed in a stable posture.

In the outward deployment portion 122, the proximal end-side foldedportion 155, the intermediate-side folded portion 154, and the distalend-side folded portion 153 are deployed in the vehicle side view, andthe bellows-shaped portions 151 and 152 are deployed in the left-rightdirection.

Once the proximal end-side folded portion 155 inflates, as illustratedin FIG. 16 , the intermediate-side folded portion 154 and the distalend-side folded portion 153 rise. Accordingly, the exterior member 40 isbroken, and the outward deployment portion 122 is deployed from theopening 48. In the present embodiment, the second fastening member 75increases the support rigidity of the lower portion of the retainer 41,and when the airbag 42 inflates, the portion of the upper portion of theretainer 41 on the opening 48 side slightly moves toward the occupantside with the portion of the second fastening member 75 as a fulcrum,and is deformed to widen the opening 48. Therefore, the outwarddeployment portion 122 of the airbag 42 is easily deployed rearwardimmediately after the inflation.

Once the outward deployment portion 122 is deployed rearward, asillustrated in FIG. 17 , the first folded-back portion 154A is deployedimmediately below the handlebar 11 e in the vehicle side view. Thebellows-shaped portions 151 and 152 are deployed in the left-rightdirection.

The distal end-side folded portion 153 is disposed in front of the firstfolded-back portion 154A, and the distal end-side folded portion 153receives a force to move forward from the deployed first folded-backportion 154A.

The panels 125 and 125 are sewn to the first folded-back portion 154A,and a circumferential length difference is generated between the frontbase fabric 123 and the rear base fabric 124. Therefore, the airbag 42that pops out rearward from the retainer 41 is easily deployed upwardafter passing below the handlebar 11 e, and is easily deployed whilesuppressing the airbag 42 from coming into contact with the handlebar 11e.

After the first folded-back portion 154A starts to be deployed, asillustrated in FIG. 18 , the second folded-back portion 154B is deployedbehind the handlebar holder 11 f in the vehicle side view. Asillustrated in FIG. 20 , in the vehicle front upper view, thebellows-shaped portions 151 and 152 are deployed in a well-balancedmanner in the left-right direction, the airbag 42 is unfolded outward insuch a way as to be wider than the seat 13 in the left-right direction,and is deployed to the vicinity of bases (inner ends of left and rightgrips llel and llel of the handlebar 11 e in the vehicle widthdirection) of rearview mirrors 11 g and 11 g.

The distal end-side folded portion 153 is disposed behind the secondfolded-back portion 154B, and the distal end-side folded portion 153receives a force to move toward the occupant side (rear side) from thedeployed second folded-back portion 154B.

A direction in which the distal end-side folded portion 153 is deployedis adjusted by the first folded-back portion 154A and the secondfolded-back portion 154B. The distal end-side folded portion 153 isfolded in a roll shape and deployed while rotating.

As described above, the airbag 42 is efficiently deployed while beingsuppressed from coming into contact with the handlebar 11 e (see FIG. 1).

As described above, according to the first embodiment to which thepresent invention is applied, the saddle-ride type vehicle includes: theretainer 41 that is provided behind the head pipe 15; the inflator 43;and the airbag 42 that is housed in the retainer 41, inflates by the gasG discharged by the inflator 43, and is deployed in front of theoccupant, in which the airbag 42 is housed in the retainer 41 in a stateof including the proximal end-side folded portion 155 folded in abellows shape, the intermediate-side folded portion 154 extending fromthe proximal end-side folded portion 155 and folded above the proximalend-side folded portion 155, and the distal end-side folded portion 153extending from the intermediate-side folded portion 154 and folded in aroll shape or a bellows shape in the cross section in the vehicle sideview, and the intermediate-side folded portion 154 has the plurality offolding-back points P1 and P2 at which folding is made along the distalend-side folded portion 153 in the front-rear direction of the distalend-side folded portion 153 in the cross section in the vehicle sideview. Therefore, the airbag 42 can be more efficiently deployed.

In the present embodiment, the folding-back points P1 and P2 areprovided on the front side and the rear side of the distal end-sidefolded portion 153. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the direction inwhich the distal end-side folded portion 153 is deployed.

In the present embodiment, the retainer 41 extends along the head pipe15 and is open upward, and the airbag 42 may have the folding-backpoints P1 and P2 provided adjacent to the front wall portion 65 and therear wall portion 85 constituting the side surfaces of the retainer 41.Therefore, the airbag 42 can be more efficiently deployed.

In the present embodiment, the airbag 42 is folded bilaterallysymmetrically with respect to the center line C1 of the airbag 42 in across section in the vehicle top view. Therefore, the airbag 42 can bedeployed in a well-balanced manner in the left-right direction.

In the present embodiment, the bilaterally symmetrically folded airbag42 has a bellows shape. Therefore, the airbag 42 can be easily foldedand housed in the retainer 41.

In the present embodiment, the retainer 41 includes the L-shaped airbagpassage 47 from which the airbag 42 is deployed upward from theleft-right direction, and the airbag 42 is housed in the airbag passage47. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently deploy the airbag 42disposed in the L-shaped airbag passage 47.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of a second embodiment and is a viewcorresponding to FIG. 13 of the first embodiment.

In the description of the second embodiment, the same components asthose of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs,and a description thereof will be omitted.

In an airbag 42 of the second embodiment, an outward deployment portion122 is folded bilaterally asymmetrically with respect to center lines(horizontally central portions) C1 and C2. The airbag 42 of the secondembodiment includes a roll-shaped portion 251 and an irregularbellows-shaped portion 252 instead of the bellows-shaped portions 151and 152 according to the first embodiment.

Specifically, a portion of the outward deployment portion 122 that ispositioned on a left end 42B side of the center line C1 (C2) is foldedin a roll shape in a manner in which the left end 42B is bent rearward.As a result, the roll-shaped portion 251 folded in a roll shape isformed on the left side (one side in the left-right direction) of thecenter line C1 (C2) of the airbag 42.

A portion of the outward deployment portion 122 that is positioned on aright end 42C side of the center line C1 (C2) is folded rearward aplurality of times and folded in a bellows shape with a positioncorresponding to a predetermined length W2 on the right side of thecenter line C1 (C2) and a position corresponding to the center line C1(C2) as folding-back points. In this manner, a bellows-shaped portion252A is formed.

Next, the portion of the outward deployment portion 122 that ispositioned on the right end 42C side is folded rearward with theposition corresponding to the center line C1 (C2) as a folding-backpoint on the rear side of the bellows-shaped portion 252A, and is foldedin such a way as to surround a rear portion, a right portion, and afront portion of the bellows-shaped portion 252A. In this manner, asurrounding portion 252B is formed.

The portion of the outward deployment portion 122 that is positioned onthe right end 42C side is folded forward with the position correspondingto the center line C1 (C2) as a folding-back point at an inner end of afront portion of the surrounding portion 252B. In this manner, afront-side straight portion 252C is formed.

The irregular bellows-shaped portion 252 of the second embodimentincludes the bellows-shaped portion 252A, the surrounding portion 252B,and the front-side straight portion 252C.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the roll-shaped portion 251 foldedin a roll shape is formed on the left side of the center line C1 (C2) onwhich the inflator 43 is disposed. The irregular bellows-shaped portion252 folded in a bellows shape is formed on the right side of the centerline C1 (C2) which is a side away from the inflator 43. Although aconfiguration in which the center lines C1 and C2 are formed bilaterallyasymmetrically is described in the present embodiment, the horizontallycentral portion based on which the center lines C1 and C2 are formedbilaterally asymmetrically does not need to coincide with the centerlines C1 and C2, and may be shifted in the left-right direction from thecenter lines C1 and C2.

In the second embodiment, once the inflator 43 of the airbag device 30operates, the gas G is injected into the airbag 42, and in the outwarddeployment portion 122, the proximal end-side folded portion 155, theintermediate-side folded portion 154, and the distal end-side foldedportion 153 are deployed in the vehicle side view, and the roll-shapedportion 251 and the irregular bellows-shaped portion 252 are deployed inthe left-right direction.

That is, in the vehicle side view, as in the first embodiment, theproximal end-side folded portion 155, the intermediate-side foldedportion 154, and the distal end-side folded portion 153 are deployed.

On the other hand, the roll-shaped portion 251 and the irregularbellows-shaped portion 252 are deployed in the left-right direction. Ingeneral, the portion of the airbag 42 that is folded in the roll shapeis deployed at a lower speed as compared with the portion of the airbag42 that is folded in the bellows shape.

In the second embodiment, in the left-right direction, the roll-shapedportion 251 is positioned on the inflator 43 side with respect to thecenter line C1 (C2), and the irregular bellows-shaped portion 252 ispositioned on a side opposite from the inflator 43 with respect to thecenter line C1 (C2). Therefore, the side where the gas G injected fromthe inflator 43 easily enters is folded in a roll shape. The side wherethe gas G injected from the inflator 43 hardly enters is folded in abellows shape. In the second embodiment, it is easy to match deploymenttimes of the left side and the right side (times required fordeployment) at different distances from the inflator 43, and it is thuseasy to efficiently deploy the airbag 42.

As described above, according to the second embodiment to which thepresent invention is applied, the saddle-ride type vehicle includes theretainer 41 that is provided behind the head pipe 15, the inflator 43,and the airbag 42 that is housed in the retainer 41, inflates by the gasG discharged by the inflator 43, and is deployed in front of theoccupant, in which the airbag 42 is housed in the retainer 41 in a stateof being folded bilaterally asymmetrically with respect to the centerline C1 (C2) of the airbag 42 in the cross section in the vehicle topview. Therefore, the airbag 42 can be more efficiently deployed.

In the present embodiment, the airbag 42 is housed in the retainer 41 ina state in which the right side of the center line C1 (C2) of the airbag42 is folded in a bellows shape and the left side of the center line C1(C2) of the airbag 42 is folded in a roll shape in the cross section inthe vehicle top view. Therefore, the deployment times of the airbag 42in the left-right direction can be adjusted.

In the present embodiment, the inflator 43 is disposed on the left sideof the center line C1 (C2) of the airbag 42, and the airbag 42 isconnected to the inflator 43 on the left side of the center line C1 (C2)of the airbag 42. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the developmenttimes in the left-right direction by making the side where the gas Gdischarged from the inflator 43 easily reaches have a roll shape andmaking the side where the gas G discharged from the inflator 43 hardlyreaches have a bellows shape.

Further, in the present embodiment, the airbag 42 is housed in theretainer 41 in a state of including the proximal end-side folded portion155 folded in a bellows shape, the intermediate-side folded portion 154extending from the proximal end-side folded portion 155 and folded abovethe proximal end-side folded portion 155, and the distal end-side foldedportion 153 extending from the intermediate-side folded portion 154 andfolded in a roll shape in the cross section in the vehicle side view,and the intermediate-side folded portion 154 has the plurality offolding-back points P1 and P2 at which folding is made along the distalend-side folded portion 153 in the front-rear direction of the distalend-side folded portion 153 in the cross section in the vehicle sideview. Therefore, the airbag 42 can be more efficiently deployed.

In the present embodiment, the retainer 41 extends along the head pipe15 and is open upward, and the airbag 42 may have the folding-backpoints P1 and P2 provided adjacent to the front wall portion 65 and therear wall portion 85 constituting the side surfaces of the retainer 41.Therefore, the airbag 42 can be more efficiently deployed.

In the present embodiment, the retainer 41 includes the L-shaped airbagpassage 47 from which the airbag 42 is deployed upward from theleft-right direction, and the airbag 42 is housed in the airbag passage47. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently deploy the airbag 42disposed in the L-shaped airbag passage 47.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of a third embodiment and is a viewcorresponding to FIG. 14 of the first embodiment.

In the description of the third embodiment, the same components as thoseof the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs, and adescription thereof will be omitted.

An airbag 42 of the third embodiment is folded in a state in which athird folding-back point P3 is added in a vehicle side view. The thirdfolding-back point P3 is formed between a second folded-back portion154B and a distal end-side folded portion 153. That is, a thirdfolded-back portion 354C is disposed between the second folded-backportion 154B and the distal end-side folded portion 153.

The third folded-back portion 354C includes a portion extending downwardfrom the third folding-back point P3 along a virtual line L1. A fourthfolding-back point P4 is formed as a connecting portion between thethird folded-back portion 354C and the second folded-back portion 154B.The first to third folding-back points P1 to P3 are folding-back pointsP1 to P3 at which the folding-back is made downward. On the other hand,the fourth folding-back point P4 is a folding-back point P4 at which thefolding-back is made upward.

An intermediate-side folded portion 354 is formed between a proximalend-side folded portion 155 and the distal end-side folded portion 153.The intermediate-side folded portion 354 of the third embodimentincludes a first folded-back portion 154A, the second folded-backportion 154B, and the third folded-back portion 354C.

A height H3 of the third folding-back point P3 is set to a length from aconnecting portion P0 to the third folding-back point P3 along thevirtual line L1. A height H4 of the fourth folding-back point P4 is setto a length from the connecting portion P0 to the fourth folding-backpoint P4 along the virtual line L1.

The height H3 of the third folding-back point P3 is higher than theheight H1 of the first folding-back point P1. The height H4 of thefourth folding-back point P4 is higher than the connecting portion P0between the distal end-side folded portion 153 and the intermediate-sidefolded portion 354.

In the third embodiment, once an inflator 43 of an airbag device 30operates, gas G is injected into the airbag 42. As a result, in anoutward deployment portion 122, the proximal end-side folded portion155, the intermediate-side folded portion 354, and the distal end-sidefolded portion 153 are deployed in a vehicle side view, andbellows-shaped portions 151 and 152 are deployed in the left-rightdirection.

In the third embodiment, when the intermediate-side folded portion 354is deployed, the first folded-back portion 154A, the second folded-backportion 154B, and the third folded-back portion 354C are deployed. Sincethe height H3 of the third folded-back portion 354C is higher than theheight H1 of the first folded-back portion 154A, the third folded-backportion 354C is easily interposed between a handlebar holder 11 f andthe distal end-side folded portion 153 when the distal end-side foldedportion 153 is deployed. Therefore, contact with the handlebar holder 11f is suppressed when the distal end-side folded portion 153 is deployed,and the roll-shaped distal end-side folded portion 153 is easilydeployed efficiently.

Each of the above embodiments illustrates one aspect to which thepresent invention is applied, and the present invention is not limitedto the above embodiments.

Although a configuration in which the distal end-side folded portion 153is folded in a roll shape has been described in the above embodiments,the distal end-side folded portion may be folded in a bellows shape.

Although a configuration in which the proximal end-side folded portion155 is folded in a bellows shape has been described in the aboveembodiments, the proximal end-side folded portion may be folded in aroll shape.

Furthermore, although a configuration in which the first folding-backpoint P1 and the second folding-back point P2 are provided has beendescribed in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, three ormore folding-back points may be provided.

Although a configuration in which the bellows-shaped portions 151 and152 are formed has been described in the third embodiment, but theroll-shaped portion 251 and the irregular bellows-shaped portion 252 maybe formed instead of the bellows-shaped portions 151 and 152.

In the above embodiments, it is preferable that the folding-back pointsP1 to P3 are formed on the front side and the rear side of the distalend-side folded portion 153. However, a configuration in which thefolding-back points P1 to P3 are formed only on one of the front sideand the rear side of the distal end-side folded portion 153 is alsopossible.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the motorcycle 1 has beendescribed as an example of the saddle-ride type vehicle. The presentinvention, however, is not limited thereto, and thus the presentinvention is applicable to a three-wheeled saddle-ride type vehiclehaving two front wheels or two rear wheels, and a saddle-ride typevehicle having four or more wheels.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 Motorcycle (saddle-ride type vehicle)-   15 Head pipe-   41 Retainer-   42 Airbag-   43 Inflator-   47 Airbag passage-   65 Front wall portion (side surface)-   85 Rear wall portion (side surface)-   153 Distal end-side folded portion-   154, 354 Intermediate-side folded portion-   155 Proximal end-side folded portion-   C1, C2 Center line (left-right center line)-   G Gas-   P1, P2, P3 Folding-back point

1. A saddle-ride type vehicle comprising: a retainer that is providedbehind a head pipe; an inflator; and an airbag that is housed in theretainer, inflates by gas discharged by the inflator, and is deployed infront of an occupant, wherein the airbag is housed in the retainer in astate of including a proximal end-side folded portion folded in a rollshape or a bellows shape, an intermediate-side folded portion extendingfrom the proximal end-side folded portion and folded above the proximalend-side folded portion, and a distal end-side folded portion extendingfrom the intermediate-side folded portion and folded in a roll shape ora bellows shape in a cross section in a vehicle side view, the distalend-side folded portion has a folded portion extending along a virtualline extending in a vertical direction in the cross section in thevehicle side view, the intermediate-side folded portion has a pluralityof folding-back points at which folding is made along the distalend-side folded portion in a front-rear direction of the distal end-sidefolded portion in the cross section in the vehicle side view, thefolding is made downward at the first folding-back point, the folding ismade downward at the second folding-back point, and a height from aconnecting portion where the distal end-side folded portion and theintermediate-side folded portion are connected to each other to thefirst folding-back point along the virtual line is different from aheight from the connecting portion to the second folding-back pointalong the virtual line.
 2. The saddle-ride type vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein the folding-back points are provided on a front sideand a rear side of the distal end-side folded portion.
 3. Thesaddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the retainerextends along the head pipe and is open upward, and the airbag has thefolding-back point provided adjacent to a side surface of the retainer.4. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the airbagis folded bilaterally symmetrically with respect to a left-right centerline of the airbag in a cross section in a vehicle top view.
 5. Thesaddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the bilaterallysymmetrically folded airbag has a bellows shape.
 6. The saddle-ride typevehicle according to claim 1, wherein the retainer includes an L-shapedairbag passage from which the airbag is deployed upward from aleft-right direction, and the airbag is housed in the airbag passage.